Vidic played under Ferguson for more than seven years at United, helping the club win five Premier League titles, one Champions League trophy and several cup competitions, before the Serbian moved to Italy’s Inter Milan in 2014.

Ferguson is United’s most successful manager, winning 38 trophies in more than 26 years at Old Trafford before retiring at the end of the 2012/13 season.

“There are no more managers any more, just coaches now,” Vidic told the BBC. “I would like to be a real manager.

“Alex Ferguson made it look easy. You watched him and thought: ‘I would like to do that.’

“But then I went to play in Italy. Then it didn’t look the same.”

Vidic, who retired from playing in 2016, believes that the current game is dictated by the players rather than the managers and club officials.

“Players want the money and have more power - more power than the managers...,” Vidic added.

“When I was a player, I don’t think I used my power. I didn’t think I was above the manager; I respected the manager. For me, it was coach, manager, CEO, owner.

“I don’t have experience to talk about players from a manager’s view, but the players definitely have the power now.”

With rivals Manchester City favourites to win the Premier League title this campaign, Vidic backed United to reach the final stages of the Champions League and get a confidence boost for next season.

“When the season started, I thought United had more chance to win the Champions League than the Premier League,” Vidic said.

“Also, Mourinho is a tactical coach and knows Europe very well. He knows there are going to be scrappy games and how to get through them.

“To win, you need a bit of luck - but there is a chance to get to the semi-finals or final. You never know. And if you win a Champions League, the players start to believe.”